I think convicted felons should still have the right to vote because they are still affected by the choices of politicians.

Felons are still affected by laws made by politicians. Laws could be made about the court system or anything else that might have an impact on their lives. Since they are still a part of our democratic society, it would be wrong to take away the right to choose the people affecting them.

This is just a way to disenfranchise people

Of course they should vote. They live by the same rules as everyone else, pay taxes, get a license to drive, etc. So if they aren't allowed to vote, then why should they pay taxes, if they don't get a vote in the matter, then why should they be punished again after they have served their time, doesn't make sense.

Felons have free speech!

There is nothing wrong with voting, everyone should have the right to do it. Voting is just giving your opinion. In the United States people are allowed to state their opinion. Just because someone does something wrong it doesn't mean they should not be allowed to vote. It's like saying to a kid "you didn't clean your room so I'm not going to listen to what you have to say."

Yes, they should retain the right to vote.

Just because a person makes a mistake does not mean they should not be able to vote. After all that person whom is running for election has just as much effect on a felon or a person who is not a felon. And has anyone ever heard that the cops lie? Of course! And how many people are now or have been in prison because they were set up? Well maybe next time it just might be you? And also people are forced to plead guilty because if you go to trial and loose you get more time. So it doesn't pay to do a crime but I've seen people who have been railroaded, setup, cops lie, etc and a persons hands are tied. So if a person does his time then that should be it. Done and over. Not held over a persons head for the rest of there life.

If you pay your dues you are like everyone else.

Yes. If time is served then they have the right. They paid their dues. Just because someone has a felony doesn't make them a bad person, well in some cases it does and they won't get out of prison so they don't count. People make mistakes, you ever heard of wrong place wrong time?

Felony disenfranchised citizens.

In most cases, felons are the result of failed social structures to begin with. It is form of discrimination. Felons should be allowed to vote on issues that affect their society. If they are born citizens of the United States, then they have the right to vote and should be able to vote after serving their punishment. A right is NOT a privilege and therefore should not be taken away, unless the crime committed relates to or specifically abuses that particular right. For example, if you commit armed robbery, you abused your right to bear arms, therefore resulting in your 'right to bear arms' to be suspended. Corporate criminals and politicians that constantly break the law and even violate our constitution are usually never brought to justice, but vote whenever they choose. Is a convicted felon the same? Would they vote the same? A Felon who is discriminated against after serving their sentence of punishment (example: denied employment) is more likely to repeat as a result. USA ranks at the top of most global crimes list's for a reason.

Felony disenfranchisement post sentence.

In most cases, felons are the result of failed social structures to begin with. It is form of discrimination. Felons should be allowed to vote on issues that affect their society. If they are born citizens of the United States, then they have the right to vote and should be able to vote after serving their punishment. A right is NOT a privilege and therefore should not be taken away, unless the crime committed relates to or specifically abuses that particular right. For example, if you commit armed robbery, you abused your right to bear arms, therefore resulting in your 'right to bear arms' to be suspended. Corporate criminals and politicians constantly break the law and even violate our constitution are usually never brought to justice, but vote whenever they choose. Is a convicted felon the same? Would they vote the same? A felon who is discriminated against after serving their sentence of punishment is more likely to repeat as a result. USA ranks at the top of most global crimes lists for a reason.

Yes, they are citizens too.

I believe that convicted felons should have the right to vote because they are U.S. Citizens too. Plus, they have a state of opinion just like anyone else. They should have a say so on who they want to be president. Because maybe their votes might help out a good willing person to be president of the USA.

Lets be United.

The right to vote in America is a key component of democracy. Democracy includes all Americans. For a democracy to work, it cannot exclude a large number of voters; simply because they are ex-felons. Once felons have served their time in prison, and are back in society; it is unfair to continue to punish them for the rest of their lives. Ex-felons maintain jobs and pay taxes; it is unfair to tax ex-felons but not allow them to vote. Restoring ex-felons voting and civil rights is part of effective rehabilitation. Denying ex-felons their voting and civil rights is a part of shameful heritage of discrimination.

Felons should vote

felons are american citizens and have the right to vote because they pay taxes and contribute to society. many are harmless crimes that dont hurt anyone. these people are usually committing these crimes to provide for their families not to hurt society. they should not get the right to know where their tax money is going taken away from them.

There is a reason why they are behind bars in the first place. They made the wrong choices in their own life. If they can't handle to make good judgments in everyday life, then why should we trust them to make a decision that effects all of America? We shouldn't.

its a privilege

They lost that privilege when they committed the crime, plain and simple. They made the decision to commit a felony, which proves they are incapable of making good decisions for society. They know what crime they are committing, and if they do not know what crime they are committing that is bad luck. Ignorance is no excuse when it comes to the law.

Convicted felons should not retain the right to vote because they broke the law in a serious way.

Convicted felons are in prison for a reason. They committed a crime that was of a serious nature, whether it be robbing a bank, killing someone, raping someone, grand theft auto, etc. They did not make a level-headed decision and ended up in jail. We do not need these type of people voting for the people that run our country. They obviously could not make a decision governing their own lives, so we should definitely not allow them to make those kind of decisions for the rest of us.

No, I disagree that felons should be able to vote because they are law breakers so why should they have the same privilege of a law abiding citizen?

I think felons are felons for a reason. They clearly broke a law and were punished for it. I don't think a person who breaks laws should have the same rights and privileges as a law abiding citizen. If they did, what message are we saying? - That there is no difference between law breakers and good, upstanding citizens. Well, there is a difference, some choose to follow the law and they should be rewarded with privileges that felons do not get.

I do not think that convicted felons should retain the right to vote.

Voting is a right of every law-abiding citizen of a given nation. That being said, with all rights come responsibilities, and if you are going to have a say in how a given society is being run, you have to play by the society's rules. Felons have not played by these rules, and as such should not be given the responsibility and right to vote.

Convicted felons should not retain the right to vote.

Convicted felons should not retain the right to vote. In violating federal laws, these citizens have forfeited their right to have their voice heard in national decisions. At some time in the future I believe they should have the right to earn back the right to vote, but this is not a foregone conclusion.

Breaking the Law

If felons break the law then why should they be able to vote on deciding laws. If they don't respect it then why should they care what laws are made. Also, who knows if once they come out that they won't break the law again. You might say that they are free to do whatever they want to do, but once you are locked up certain rights are lost, and one of them should be the right to vote.

Felons

It's right there in the name, they are a felon. It takes a lot of wrong to become a felon. That wrong gives you a right to vote how? One of your family members? what if they killed one of your own family member. It happens. If one felon can't vote, they all have to follow suit. They abused the legal system.

Felons rigth to vote

felons should not be able to vote think of it this way they have comitted a crime and are paying the price would you allow james holmes the man who shot up the batman premire in colorado to make a decision that involves the country? his has proven himself incapable to manage in society so why would we allow him to vote?

No.

Criminals should lose all rights irrevocably for their transgressions on the rights of others. Unless, y'know, they didn't actually transgress on anyone else's rights, in which case they shouldn't be criminals.